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Obasanjo Says Okonjo-Iweala Worked “Competently” for Him | Implies Reverse Was Case with GEJ
Former president Olusegun Obasanjo recently had an interview with Premium Times that has got people talking.
During the interview, some issues he raised in his book, My Watch, were discussed.
And one of these issues was the performance of former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Obasanjo mentions that she performed competently during his time in office. He also seems to hint that the reverse was the case when she served under former president Goodluck Jonathan.
Here are excerpts from the interview:
PT: …You know a lot of people believe that between 1999 and 2007 when you left was a time that a lot changed in Nigeria for the better. And people just keep saying that you destroyed everything that you put in place with the successors you enthroned.
Obasanjo: But take Ngozi (Okonjo-Iweala), who worked for me. And who worked competently for me. Because I know Ngozi’s weaknesses, but I know her strong points. Her strong point is technical competence. But Ngozi needs to be led and to be supervised. Now will you comment on Ngozi who worked for me as the same Ngozi who worked for Jonathan? Will you? But it’s the same person.
PT: At what point do you think she derailed if I may use that word?
Obasanjo: No.
PT: Is it at the point that you changed her – because you removed her as finance minister. Was it at that point that she began to derail?
Obasanjo: She derailed because….when Jonathan even said he wanted her, I said ‘I hope you can manage her.’ And Ngozi herself sent me a text (and) I told her times have changed.
PT: But why did you change her? She was managing the economy very well for you. Why did you now remove her suddenly?
Obasanjo: I wrote it in that my book.
